Communication Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The mobile communication apparatus informs occurrence of a missed event with a vibrator  54  in response to the detection of a second state that a case separates from the other case in the apparatus. For example, the missed event can be that the apparatus has a missing incoming call, that the apparatus has an unread message, or that a missed alarm time in the apparatus has already past. Further, the apparatus informs the occurrences without recognizing the LCD  42.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/085,064, filed Mar. 1, 2002, entitled “Communication Apparatus,”hereby incorporated by reference as to its entirety. This applicationalso claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese patentapplication P2001-057999, filed on Mar. 2, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foldable, slideable, or other similarcommunication apparatus that more conveniently notifies a user of amissed event.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Conventional communication apparatuses, such as cellular phones, notifyusers of an incoming call or receipt of a text message, or an alarm setin advance, by emitting a sound or causing the apparatus to vibrate atthe time of its occurrence.

When the user of the cellular phone does not answer the incoming call orotherwise respond to the notification, the cellular phone memorizes themissed call or unopened message. Thereafter, the cellular phone notifieseach of their occurrences with an icon displayed on a Liquid-CrystalDisplay (LCD) or lighting a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display.

Therefore, the user who does not recognize the notification at the timeof the occurrence may later recognize the occurrence only by visualrecognition of a displayed icon on the LCD or LED after the occurrence.

Where the cellular phone is of a foldable type, the user has to open afoldable case of the phone completely to confirm whether a call, textmessage, or alarm has been missed according to the display. Thus,multiple operations are necessary by the user in order to determinewhether a call, text message, or alarm has been missed. The user mustfirst open the foldable case and then read the display. Anotherinconvenience is that in order to read the display, the user must fullyopen the foldable case.

There is also known a foldable cellular phone that can inform a user theabove occurrences without requiring the user to open the foldable case.Such a cellular phone has an auxiliary LCD or LED on the outside of thefoldable case in addition to an LCD or LED inside the case on the sameside as keys.

This cellular phone, however, requires the auxiliary LCD or LED, whichenlarges the case of the cellular phone and increases the number ofparts of the cellular phone. It is well known that increasing the numberof parts increases the cost to manufacture the phone as well as thelikelihood of a malfunction.

A foldable cellular phone is also known that can notify the user of theabove occurrences with the case being kept foldable by using a vibrator.The vibrator is responsive to the activation of keys disposed on theoutside of the case. This cellular phone, however, also requiresadditional keys, thereby increasing the number of parts of the cellularphone and enlarging the case of the cellular phone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more aspects of the present invention are directed to a foldable,slideable, and/or otherwise partially or fully separable communicationapparatus having a first portion and a second portion. The first andsecond portions may be foldably, slideably, and/or otherwise moveablycoupled with one another.

When the first and second portions are fully or partially separated fromone another, a first detector may detect the separation. If a seconddetector has previously detected an event, such as a missed eventoccurring in the apparatus (e.g., a missed incoming call, a missed textmessage or a missed alarm), a controller may notify the user of thedetected event responsive to the first detector detecting theseparation.

The controller may cause such a notification by activating a vibrator,speaker, piezoelectric element, and/or other similar device that canproduce an output noticeable by the user. Preferably, the notificationwould be audible or tactile, but it could be in any form such as avisible notification.

One or more further aspects of the present invention allow for acommunication apparatus to not have additional lights, speakers, orother user notification outputs other than those in conventionalcommunication apparatuses, while still providing convenient notificationto the user of certain events such as missed events. In addition, acommunication apparatus in accordance with these aspects may utilize theexisting switch that detects whether the apparatus is opened or not.

These and other features of the invention will be apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevanttechnology, in light of the present specification, that alternatecombinations of aspects of the invention, either alone or in combinationwith one or more elements or steps defined herein, may be used asmodifications or alterations of the invention or as part of theinvention. It is intended that the written description of the inventioncontained herein cover all such modifications and alterations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the followingdetailed description of exemplary embodiments, is better understood whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are includedby way of example, and not by way of limitation with regard to theclaimed invention.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary foldable mobilecommunication apparatus according to at least one aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the foldable mobile communication apparatus ofFIG. 1 shown in an open position.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the foldable mobile communication apparatus ofFIG. 1 shown in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing of an exemplary switch that may beincluded in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an exemplary control method according toat least one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary control table showing examples of vibratingpatterns that may be used in accordance with at least one aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary controlleraccording to at least one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary control table showing examples of sound patternsthat may be used in accordance with at least one aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of another exemplary controlleraccording to at least one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 9A is a side view of the slidable mobile communication apparatus ofshown in a closed position, in accordance with at least one aspect ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9B is a side view of the slidable mobile communication apparatus ofFIG. 9A shown in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various illustrative embodiments will be described with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary foldablecommunication apparatus according to at least one aspect of theinvention.

The apparatus may include a microphone 10 for receiving sound, such as auser's voice, and for converting the sound to a voice signal. The voicesignal may be transmitted from the microphone 10 and digitized in acoder 14 before being compressed. A digital modulator 16 may modulatethe compressed signal.

A radio-transmitting unit (TX) 20 may convert the modulated andcompressed signal to a high frequency signal by a local signal outputtedfrom a synthesizer (SYN) 27. The converted high frequency signal may bethereafter amplified in power up to a specified power level.

The amplified signal may be supplied to an antenna 24 by a duplexer(DUP) 22. The signal may then be transmitted as a radio high frequencysignal via the antenna 24.

To receive, at antenna 24, a radio signal with a high frequencytransmitted from a base station while another radio signal is being sentout by the apparatus 1, the apparatus 1 may include a duplexer 22.

The duplexer 22 may allow the transmitted signal from theradio-transmitting unit 20 or reach the antenna 24 while allowing thereceived radio signal to reach a radio-receiving unit (RX) 26. Theradio-receiving unit 26 may amplify the received high frequency signaland convert the amplified signal to a base band signal in accordancewith a local signal generated by a synthesizer (SYN) 27.

The converted base band signal may then be inputted to a digitaldemodulator 30 for demodulation. The demodulated signal may then beinputted to a decoder 32.

The decoder 32 may decode the demodulated signal and convert the decodedsignal to an analog voice signal. The analog voice signal may then beoutputted from a speaker 36, earphone, or other similar output device.

A controller 40 may be coupled to a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 42 orother display device, a memory 44, and/or a key unit 46 to allow theuser to input information using one or more buttons, keys,touch-sensitive surfaces, or other similar input devices. The controller40 may be a single unit or may be composed of multiple physically and/orlogically separate elements such as one or more processor,microprocessor, control circuits, detectors, and/or input interfaces.The controller 40 may be further coupled to a driver 50 for driving avibrator 52. The vibrator 52 may cause some or all of the apparatus 1 tovibrate. The controller may be further coupled to a driver 56 fordriving a sound-emitting unit 58. The sound-emitting unit 58 may be aspeaker, piezoelectric element, or any other device that generates orotherwise emits sound.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the foldable mobile communication apparatus1 may include a first portion 62 and a second portion 64. In theexemplary embodiment shown, the first and second portions 62, 64 arecoupled at a hinge 60, thereby allowing the apparatus 1 to be foldableat the hinge 60. In FIG. 2A, the apparatus 1 is shown in an “open”position such that the first and second portions 62, 64 are partiallyseparated from one another and contact each other only at their commonhinged ends. FIG. 2B shows the apparatus 1 in a “closed” position suchthat the first and second portions 62, 64 are folded toward each otherwherein their respective inner sides 71, 73 are substantially parallelwith each other.

The apparatus 1 may include a first detector, which may include a switch54 and/or switch driving/detecting circuitry, to detect whether theapparatus 1 is in a closed or open position. The switch 54 may bedisposed in or on either the first or second portions 62, 64 or disposedin or on the hinge 60. To indicate whether the apparatus 1 is in aclosed or open position, the switch 54 may, for example, output aparticular signal, voltage, or current, and/or open or close anelectrical circuit depending upon the state of the switch 54.

Referring to FIG. 3, the switch 54 may include a pin 54 a and/or acontact point 54 b.

The pin 54 a may be movable into and out of the inner side 71 of thefirst portion 62. The contact point 54 b may face the pin 54 a. The pin54 a may be located, for example, between the inner and outer sides 71,72 of the first portion 62.

The contact point 54 b may include both a moving contact point and astationary contact point; switches of this type are well known.

When the switch 54 is engaged, the moving and stationary contact pointsmay cause electrical continuity to be completed or broken, dependingupon the configuration of the switch 54.

The ON and OFF states of the switch may correspond to the open andclosed positions, respectfully, or to the closed and open positions,respectfully, of the apparatus 1. The controller 40 may detect the stateof the switch 54 to determine the corresponding position of theapparatus 1.

As the first and second portions 62, 64 close together, the innersurface 73 of the second portion 64 presses the pin 54 a toward thecontact point 54 b such that the contact point 54 b contacts with thepin 54 a.

The switch 54 is thereby placed in the ON state, and the detectorinforms the controller 40 of the state of the ON state of the switch 54and that therefore (in this example) the apparatus 1 is in a closedposition or is being placed in a closed position.

As the first and second portions 62, 64 open away from one another, theinner surface 73 of the second portion 64 does not press the pin 54 aagainst the contact point 54 b, and thus the pin 54 a is electricallyisolated from the pin 54 a.

The switch 54 is thereby placed in the OFF state, and the detectorinforms of the controller 40 the OFF state of the switch 54 and thattherefore (in this example) the apparatus 1 is in an open position or isbeing placed in an open position. In response, the controller 40 maycause an output to be detectable by the user, such as by lighting theLCD 42 or key 46.

Since the type of switch used will affect whether the switch 54 is in anON or OFF state in any particular position of the apparatus 1, the twostates of the switch 54 are referred to generically herein as first andsecond states of the switch 54. When the apparatus 1 is in a closedposition, the switch 54 is referred to herein as being in the firststate. When the apparatus 1 is in an open position, the switch 54 isreferred to herein as being in the second state.

In the second state, a user can check information displayed on the LCD42 in the second case 64. In the first state, a user cannot checkinformation display on the LCD 42 as the LCD 42 contacts with the firstcase.

In this embodiment, when the switch 54 detects OFF in the second state,the foldable mobile communication apparatus informs of a user an eventwith the vibrator 52. The event had occurred in the foldable mobilecommunication apparatus before the detection.

In alternative embodiments, the switch 54 may be any other type ofswitch such as a magnetic-type switch that detects the mating of the twoportions 62, 64. In addition, the switch 54 may be disposed in only oneof the portions 62, 64 or the hinge 60, or distributed among any two ormore of the portions 62, 64 and/or the hinge 60.

In the second state of the switch 54 (where the apparatus 1 is in theopen position), a user can view information displayed on the LCD 42.However, in the first state of the switch 54 (where the apparatus 1 isin the closed position), the user cannot view any information displayedon the LCD 42 of the apparatus 1 since the LCD 42 is covered by thefirst portion 62.

Responsive to the switch 54 being placed in the second state (i.e.,responsive to the apparatus 1 being opened), the apparatus 1 may informthe user of an event by activating the vibrator 52.

The event may be a missed incoming call, a missed text message, a missedalarm, and/or another event that had occurred in the apparatus 1 priorto the apparatus 1 being placed in the open position (and the switch 54being placed in the second state).

Next, an exemplary control function in this embodiment will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 4.

When the foldable mobile communication apparatus 1 is in a standby stateafter detecting a missed event, the controller 40 recognizes the state(step 100).

The control unit 40 checks whether a method of notifying the user of themissed event has already been set in the apparatus (step 102).

For example, the user may configure the apparatus 1 such thatnotification of missed events occurs by activating the vibrator 52, thesound-emitting unit 58, or both. Alternatively, the user could selectthat no notification is performed. Also, the apparatus 1 may beconfigured to set a default notification method should none be chosen bythe user.

If the notification method has already been set (step 102), thecontroller 40 checks whether the state of the switch 54 is changed ornot (step 104).

If the state of the switch 54 is changed (step 104), the controller 40checks whether the state of the switch 54 is changed from the firststate to the second state (step 106).

If so, the controller 40 notifies the user of the missed event using thechosen notification method (e.g., with the vibrator 52 and/or soundemitting unit 58) (step 108).

As described above, the foldable mobile communication apparatus 1 maynotify the user of the occurrence of any one or more of theabove-discussed events with the vibrator 52 and/or sound-emitting unit58 in response to the detection of the second state of the switch 54and/or in response to the apparatus 1 being opened. Further, theapparatus may notify the user of such an occurrence without requiringthe user to read the LCD 42.

In some embodiments, the switch 54 may be configured such that theapparatus 1 need not be fully opened in order for the missed eventnotification to be performed. In other words, steps 104 and 106 mayproduce an affirmative decision that the switch 54 has changed to thesecond state where the user has only partially opened the apparatus 1.

This may, for example, allow the user to check the status of any missedevents without having to remove the apparatus 1 from his or her pocket,since, for example, the user might be able to partially open theapparatus 1 while the apparatus 1 is still in the user's pocket.

The apparatus 1 may provide different notifications depending upon theuser's preference, the type of event associated with the notification,and/or other factors. This may allow the user to easily distinguishbetween the different types of missed events. For example, where thenotifications are vibrations from the vibrator 52, the patterns ofvibration may be different. To implement such a feature, the foldablemobile communication apparatus 1 may store a control table, such as thatshown in FIG. 5, in the memory 44. The control table of FIG. 5associates a vibrating pattern of the vibrator 52 with each of varioustypes of events.

The apparatus 1 may control the vibration depending upon the informationstored in the control table.

For example, where the apparatus 1 detects that a missed call hasoccurred (i.e., an incoming call event has been missed, the controller40 controls the vibrator 52 to generate a continuous vibration.

On the other hand, where the apparatus 1 detects that an unread messageexists (i.e., a message event has been missed), the controller 40controls the vibrator 52 to generate an intermittent vibration at afixed time interval.

Also, where the apparatus 1 detects that a set alarm time in theapparatus 1 has already passed (i.e., an alarm event has been missed),the controller 40 controls the vibrator 52 to generate an intermittentvibration at random time intervals.

As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 40 has a first detector 401, a seconddetector 402 and a vibrator controller 403. Alternatively, the firstand/or second detectors 401,402 may be separate from, and coupled to,the controller 40. The first detector 401 may detect the state of theswitch 54 and produce an output depending upon the detected state of theswitch 54. The switch 54 may be part of the first detector 401 orseparate from it. The second detector 402 may detect occurrences of anyevents in the apparatus 1 and produce another output depending upon thedetected occurrence. The vibrator controller 403 may control the driver50 based upon the outputs of the detectors 401, 402 and information inthe control table stored in the memory 44.

Optionally, the apparatus 1 may notify the user not only by vibratingthe vibrator 52 but also by displaying information on the LCD 42. TheLCD 42 may be used to display further detailed information about thenotification. Therefore, after a user of the apparatus 1 feels thevibration, the user can check the meaning of the vibration on the LCD42. This function is convenient for an unskilled user.

The method of notification, however, is not limited to vibration. Forexample, the foldable mobile communication apparatus 1 may notify theuser with a sound generated by the sound-emitting unit 58. The sound maybe any sound or combination of sounds such as a short beep or voiceguidance.

The foldable mobile communication apparatus 1 may store a control table,such as that shown in FIG. 7, in the memory 44.

The control table may be user to set a sound pattern that thesound-emitting unit 58 generates to distinguish the event with the soundpattern.

The apparatus 1 may control the sound-emitting unit 58 to generate adifferent sound based upon the information stored in the control table.For example, the different sounds generated may differ from each otherin pitch, length of time, pattern, and/or other features. The controltable of FIG. 7 associates a sound pattern of the sound-emitting unit 58with each of various types of events.

For example, where the apparatus 1 detects that a missed incoming callhas occurred, the controller 40 controls the sound-emitting unit 58 togenerate a short beep. Or, where the apparatus 1 detects a missed unreadmessage, the controller 40 controls the sounder 58 to generate voiceguidance. The voice guidance may, for example, use spoken language tostate that a missed unread message exists.

Or, where the apparatus 1 detects that a set alarm time in the apparatus1 has already passed, the controller 40 controls the sounder 58 togenerate an intermittent sound at random time intervals.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the controller 40 may have the firstdetector 401, the second detector 402 and/or a sound controller 404. Asdiscussed above, the first detector 401 may detect the state of theswitch 54. The second detector 402 may detect occurrences of any eventsin the apparatus 1. The sound controller 404 may control the driver 56based upon the outputs of the detectors 401, 402 and information in acontrol table stored in the memory 44. In one exemplary embodiment,FIGS. 6 and 8 may be combined such that the apparatus 1 has both thevibrator controller 403 and the sound controller 404 each coupled to thefirst and second detectors 401, 402. In such an embodiment, thecontroller 40 may be configured to select which of the vibratorcontroller 403 or the sound controller 404 (or both) is to be used tonotify the user of a missed event.

As explained above, according to this invention, certain embodiments ofan improved communication apparatus in accordance with certain aspectsof the present invention may provide advantageous notification featureswith no newly provided parts and no increase in the number of parts overconventional communication apparatuses. Furthermore, in someembodiments, a user of the apparatus 1 may be notified of occurrences ofvarious events responsive to the apparatus being partially or fullyopened.

Embodiments discussed herein are merely exemplary and are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9Aand 9B, a mobile communication apparatus 500 may be a slideable insteadof a foldable device, such that first and second portions 501, 502 areconfigured to slide relative to each other. FIG. 9A shows the apparatus500 in a “closed” position such that the second portions 502 is disposedsubstantially or fully inside (or in alternative embodiments, alongside)the first portion 501. In FIG. 9B, the apparatus 500 is shown in an“open” position such that the first and second portions 501, 502 arepartially or fully separated from one another along the axis.

The apparatus 1 may be opened by sliding the first and second portions501, 502 away from each other and closed by sliding the first and secondportions 501, 502 toward each other.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B, a switch 503 may have the same function as theswitch 54 in FIG. 2A. An LCD 504 may have the same function as the LCD42 in FIG. 2A.

In some embodiments, the first and second portions 501, 502 may becompletely separable from each other in order to open the apparatus 500.Also, although a switch 54, 503 is discussed herein, any device thatsenses or detects the opening and/or closing of the apparatus 1, 500 maybe used, and such device is not limited to a switch.

1. A communication apparatus having a first portion, a second portionand a vibrator, and configured to change between a first position and asecond position different from the first position, wherein in the secondposition the first portion is separated from the second portion, thecommunication apparatus comprising: a first detector configured todetect that a position of the communication apparatus is the secondposition; a second detector configured to detect a missed event in theapparatus; and a controller coupled to the first and second detectorsand configured to determine whether the position of the communicationapparatus is the second position after the missed event, and if so, toactivate the vibrator responsive to a detection of the second position.2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thedetected missed event is a missed call.
 3. The communication apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the detected missed event is an unreadmessage.
 4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe detected missed event is a missed alarm time.
 5. A communicationapparatus having a first portion, a second portion and a sound-emittingunit, and configured to change between a first position and a secondposition different from the first position, wherein in the secondposition the first portion is separated from the second portion, thecommunication apparatus comprising: a first detector configured todetect that a position of the communication apparatus is the secondposition; a second detector configured to detect a missed event in theapparatus; and a controller coupled to the first and second detectorsand configured to determine whether the position of the communicationapparatus is the second position after the missed event, and if so, toactivate the sound-emitting unit responsive to a detection of the secondposition.
 6. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, whereinthe detected missed event is a missed call.
 7. The communicationapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detected missed event is anunread message.
 8. The communication apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the detected missed event is a missed alarm time.
 9. Acommunication apparatus having a first portion, a second portion and avibrator, the communication apparatus comprising: a first detectorconfigured to detect an operation to at least partially separate thefirst portion from the second portion; a second detector configured todetect a missed call and an unread message in the apparatus; and acontroller coupled to the first and second detectors, and configured todetermine whether the operation to at least partially separate the firstportion from the second portion occurs after the missed call, and if so,to activate the vibrator in a first vibrating pattern responsive to theoperation to at least partially separate the first portion from thesecond portion, wherein the controller is further configured todetermine whether the operation to at least partially separate the firstportion from the second portion occurs after detecting the unreadmessage, and if so, to activate the vibrator in a second vibratingpattern which is different from the first vibrating pattern responsiveto the operation to at least partially separate the first portion fromthe second portion.